Pro tennis tournament courts aren’t just where champions are made—in some cases, they’re also an ideal environment for love stories to unfold.
Mixing business with pleasure is a huge no-no in a lot of workplaces, sure, but professional tennis isn’t exactly your typical office environment. Plenty of court stars have proven that romance can thrive even in the heat of the competition. Take Roger Federer, for example: He met his now wife, Swiss player Mirka Vavrinec, at the 2000 Olympics—and they’ve been going strong ever since.
At this year’s US Open, too, it’s clear that love is very much in play: Several couples are vying for Grand Slam glory at Flushing Meadows. Below, we’ve rounded up a handful of competitors who found their game, set, and match on tour.
1. Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa
As one of the tennis’s biggest power couples, Tsitsidosa (as fans call them) have been each other’s cheerleaders on and off the court. While the duo broke up in May after a year of dating, they quickly found their way back to each other, most recently teaming up at the inaugural Mixed Madness event during US Open Fan Week—where they won a whopping $250,000 in prize money (along with our hearts).
“Best date night ever,” Badosa wrote on Instagram shortly after the match, alongside a photo of the pair hugging. Tsitsipas also celebrated the sweet moment on social media, calling Badosa his “queen in Queens.”
2. Gaël Monfils and Elina Svitolina
As one of the longest-running pairs on this list, Monfils and Svitolina got married three years ago and recently welcomed their first child together, Skai, in 2022. But their love story started back in 2018.
“It was in Paris, actually,” Monfils said in an episode of CrossCourt when reflecting on how they first met. “I text you to say, ‘I’m going out with friends if you want to have a drink with us,’ and you definitely said, ‘Yes, of course.’” Ever since, the French player said they kept in touch, texting and calling to see “where the vibes were going.”
And the rest is history: They got engaged in 2021 and tied the knot just three months later. They’re such #relationshipgoals that they even share a couple’s Instagram account to give fans a glimpse into their life together.
It gets a bit more complicated when your wife gets traded and becomes your fiercest competition.
3. Jannik Sinner and Anna Kalinskaya
Earlier this summer, the Italian superstar (who’s currently ranked number one in the world) confirmed that he’s dating a fellow tennis phenom: Anna Kalinskaya. Though Sinner hasn’t shared many details, here’s what he was willing to say about the new relationship:
“I don’t like to talk much about my private life,” he said in Italian during a post-match press conference in June. “Yes, I’m with Anna, but we keep everything very confidential. I won’t say more.”
4. Alex de Minaur and Katie Boulter
At first, de Minaur and Boulter (now a fan-favorite couple) tried keeping their romance under wraps. “Remember that time when we were having breakfast at separate tables?” Boulter reflected in an ATP Media video feature, to which de Minaur added that they would even eat at different times to avoid suspicion.
These days, though, they’re more than happy to share their love with the world. The pair (who started dating in 2020) made their mixed doubles debut at Wimbledon last year. Although they didn’t win, they left the tournament with huge smiles: Boulter described the experience as “the most fun I’ve had on a tennis court.” And earlier this year, de Minaur couldn’t help but gush about his special lady, explaining in a 2024 Tennis Channel interview that “the only thing that counts in my life is going up in the boyfriend rankings.”
5. Tomas Machac and Kateřina Siniaková (???)
Okay, so yes—the (maybe) exes competed together at the 2024 Olympics. And yes, they did share an adorable victory kiss in front of the whole world after winning gold. But they’re still being coy about whether or not they are, in fact, dating again.
“That’s our personal life, so you don't need to know that,” Siniaková told reporters earlier this month when asked if they’re “still together.” “We like when you are confused.” Machac chimed in to add that it’s “top secret,” although he completely understands the world’s fascination with their alleged relationship: “I think the story deserves a movie or a book at least,” he told ATPTour.com a few days later. “Somebody has to pick us up and say that we need to write it, or we need to film the movie.” And honestly? Wanting some privacy—and enjoying the drama—is totally relatable.
Related:
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- All the Reasons to Stan Coco Gauff—Even If You Don’t Watch Tennis
- How Madison Keys Is Getting Her Head Back in the Game After That Wimbledon-Ending Injury
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